We are 10 days into training camp, and players are beginning to separate from the herd. Let's take an updated look at what the final 53-man roster may look like.
= Projected starter
• Black = Active Week 1
• Red = Projected Week 1 inactive
As always, Chip Kelly would say the depth chart is written in sand:
Quarterback (3): Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow
- MORE FROM TRAINING CAMP
- Byron Maxwell excited by prospect of keying on opponents' top receiver
- Eagles practice notes, August 13, 2015: Eric Rowe flashes
- Concussion will likely sideline Kiko Alonso for Eagles preseason opener
- Malcolm Jenkins shames DeMarco Murray for not participating in practice
Bradford is clearly the quarterback at the top of the depth chart, and will be the Eagles' starter this season, barring an injury or a setback. As for the #3 QB spot, While Barkley has had the best camp of his career, I believe he has run out of time, and Tebow has shown enough competence in practice to win the job. Obviously, their performances in the preseason games will weigh heavily on their futures here. Expect Barkley to be showcased in the preseason games in hopes that the Eagles can get something in return for him.
To note, yes I understand that the appeal in keeping Tebow on the roster is that he can do other things, so there isn't much sense in keeping him inactive. To be clear, this is a Week 1 projection only. Players will get hurt during the season, which will land them on the inactive list. That's perhaps when Tebow will see some action. And it wouldn't hurt for him to see more practice reps first.
Changes from last time: None.
Running back (3): DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles
The Eagles' top three running backs are obvious. The question is... Will they keep a fourth? The team is comfortable with Kenjon Barner, and Raheem Mostert has flashed at times in practice as a receiver out of the backfield. However, both still have practice squad eligibility. Will the Eagles keep four running backs active on gameday? I doubt that. If they sustain an injury to one of the top three guys, then they can simply call Barner up, assuming another team doesn't poach him off the practice squad.
Changes from last time: None.
Practice squad watch: Kenjon Barner, Raheem Mostert
Wide receiver (6): Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, Miles Austin, Seyi Ajirotutu
The top five guys are locks, in my opinion. The sixth spot is mildly in question. After doing some nice things in OTAs and minicamp, Seji Ajirotutu has been invisible as a receiver during camp, but his value is on special teams. I do not think the Eagles have the luxury of keeping more than six receivers.
Changes from last time: None.
Practice squad watch: Quron Pratt, G.J. Kinne
Tight end (3): Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, Trey Burton
Ertz, Celek and Burton are locks. Beyond that, the Eagles brought in three undrafted free agents (Eric Tomlinson, Justin Tukes, and Andrew Gleichert) to compete for a job on the 53-man roster or practice squad. You don't sign three undrafted free agents at a position like tight end without having the intention of keeping at least one in some form. While I don't think any of them will make the team, Tomlinson has done enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad.
Changes from last time: None.
Practice squad watch: Eric Tomlinson
Offensive line (9): Jason Peters, Allen Barbre, Jason Kelce, Andrew Gardner, Lane Johnson, Matt Tobin, David Molk, Kevin Graf, John Moffitt
As we stated in the last practice notes, Andrew Gardner has gotten the most practices with the first team offense. Here's that tally:
Peters, Barbre, Kelce, and Johnson are all going to start, while Gardner seems to have at least locked up a roster spot, at a minimum. The team is not as optimistic about Tobin's future as they once were, but his versatility as a player who can fill in at OG or OT would allow the team to plug him in at any one of four spots without having to do a major OL shuffle. David Molk is clearly the best option at center if Kelce were to go down.
Beyond those seven players, this is by far the most difficult positional group to predict without having seen them play any preseason games. So to be clear, with those last two spots, I'm really just throwing darts. I think they'll keep nine players on the 53-man roster, and a practice squad player or two.
Changes from last time: Andrew Gardner starting, Matt Tobin moved to the bench. John Moffitt in, Brett Boyko out.
Practice squad watch: Malcolm Bunche, Brett Boyko
Defensive line (7): Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Cedric Thornton, Vinny Curry, Brandon Bair, Beau Allen, Taylor Hart
The Eagles are stacked along the defensive line, which will make it difficult to keep everyone they would like to keep. Brian Mihalik will likely be the casualty here, and the team will hope they can get him onto the practice squad.
Changes from last time: None.
Practice squad watch: Brian Mihalik, Travis Raciti, Wade Keliikipi
Outside linebacker (4): Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Marcus Smith, Bryan Braman
Barwin and Graham will start, but depth here is dicey. Marcus Smith is setting goals of 10 sacks and four interceptions this season. While it's nice to have goals, he should probably just focus on getting on the field and maybe making a tackle or two first. Otherwise, Braman is a special teams stud, and Brad Jones has ILB/OLB versatility.
Changes from last time: None.
Practice squad watch: Brandon Hepburn
Inside linebacker (5): Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Brad Jones, Jordan Hicks
Alonso will more than likely be the every down guy, with Ryans and Kendricks splitting snaps. Initially, I though Kendricks would ultimately get more playing time, so I had him listed as the "starter," but I'm not so sure I'm leaning that way any more. The Eagles tend to value leadership more than the fan base, and Ryans is the most respected player in the locker room. Hicks has shown good things and will make the team as a third-round pick, but it will be difficult for him to be active on game day because of the overwhelming number of quality ILBs on the roster. I think the Eagles would like to keep Najee Goode, but he's the casualty here.
Changes from last time: DeMeco Ryans "starting," Mychal Kendricks to the "bench."
Cornerback (6): Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll, Eric Rowe, Jaylen Watkins, E.J. Biggers, Denzel Rice
JaCorey Shepherd's torn ACL threw a monkey wrench into the team's plans at slot corner, which opens up opportunities for guys like E.J. Biggers and Jaylen Watkins to make the team. The Eagles will also look at Rowe in the slot, although I believe that's a misuse of his skill set. Rice has impressed throughout camp, and could be the surprise player to make the team.
Changes from last time: JaCorey Shepherd to IR, Jaylen Watkins moved from safety to corner, E.J. Biggers added.
Practice squad watch: Randall Evans
Safety (4): Malcolm Jenkins, Walter Thurmond, Chris Maragos, Chris Prosinski
We can pretty much call Thurmond the starter opposite Jenkins. Earl Wolff has done nothing to stand out in camp so far, other than miss time again. I think he's done in Philly. Jerome Couplin is intriguing, since the Eagles signed him to their active roster from the Lions' practice squad at the end of last year, but he has been sidelined after having an appendectomy. This could be a spot where the Eagles try to sign a guy after other teams make their final cutdowns.
Changes from last time: Jaylen Watkins moved to corner.
Practice squad watch: Jerome Couplin
Specialists (3): Cody Parkey, Donnie Jones, Jon Dorenbos
Parkey and Dorenbos are running unopposed, and Jones isn't going anywhere.
Changes from last time: None.
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